PMO Strategies

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of WorkingWe glorify being busy. The meetings, the projects, the dashboards, the endless updates. It feels like progress, but it’s not. What it really shows is how easily complexity takes over and steals focus. When that happens, teams stall, stakeholders disengage, and leaders confuse activity with real momentum. The result is frustration on every side. In this episode, I share how to recognize the complexity that slows you down, how to shift your perspective so simplicity becomes a leadership decision, and why the ability to say “no” is what creates clarity, trust, and measurable IMPACT. What You’ll Learn: Why complexity becomes the default in most organizations How simplicity creates clarity, momentum, and stakeholder confidence What changed when I simplified my own business The false belief that doing more proves leadership value How PMO leaders can build trust for stakeholders 👉 Press play to learn why simplicity is not about doing less. It is about doing the right things, really well. We’re in the process of simplifying what we do—and I’d love your input. We’ve put together a quick survey to better understand what you value, what you’d like more (or less) of, and where you need the most support. I personally read every response, and your feedback will directly shape how we move forward—especially with updates to the website. Share your thoughts at pmostrategies.com/survey.  P.S. Lead with simplicity and focus this year by surrounding yourself with the ideas, insights, and leaders shaping the future of strategy delivery. The PMI Global Summit 2025 will equip you with the tools, strategies, and connections to deliver measurable IMPACT. Join us November 12–15 in Phoenix, AZ and take your leadership to the next level. Click here to register.Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONSMentioned in this episode:331: Leadership in an Era of Disruption with Ken Banta

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsEvery organization talks about leadership and agility, but few know how to make them real when disruption hits. When the pace of change never slows, how do you lead with clarity instead of reacting in chaos? In this episode, I’m joined by Ken Banta, founder and CEO of The Vanguard Network and author of Seeing Around Corners: Leadership in an Era of Disruption. Together, we explore what it really takes to lead with clarity and confidence when the pace of change never slows down. Ken and I discuss how self-awareness, adaptability, and influence are redefining leadership for the next decade— and how PMO and transformation leaders can move from simply managing change to anticipating it. You’ll learn how to shift from task-focused management to outcome-driven leadership that builds executive trust and drives measurable business value. The best leaders aren’t just delivering projects. They’re strategy navigators who connect the C-suite vision with on-the-ground execution. When PMO and transformation leaders build that bridge, they become the early-warning system executives rely on to see around corners and deliver lasting IMPACT.  What You'll Learn:  ✅ What “seeing around corners” really means in practice ✅ How to use self-awareness to lead with credibility and purpose ✅ The difference between management and adaptive leadership ✅ Why PMO leaders are the translation link between the C-suite and delivery teams ✅ How adaptability and agility turn disruption into measurable IMPACT  It’s time to get clear on what true leadership looks like in an era of disruption and how to evolve fast enough to stay ahead of it. 👉 Press play to discover how leadership built on awareness, agility, and trust helps PMO and transformation leaders turn uncertainty into IMPACT. Connect with Ken: Follow him on LinkedIn Visit www.thevanguardnetwork.com P.S. Ready to lead through disruption instead of reacting to it? The PMI Global Summit 2025 will equip you with the tools, insights, and connections to deliver measurable IMPACT. Join us November 12–15 in Phoenix, AZ and take your leadership to the next level. Click here to register. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONSMentioned in this episode:331: Leadership in an Era of Disruption with Ken Banta

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Business AcumenWe’ve all been told that the safest hire is the one with the most experience. But here’s the truth: experience doesn’t guarantee IMPACT. In this episode, I challenge the old belief that more experience automatically makes a better hire. I share a story from a PMO leader who kept meeting senior candidates with impressive résumés—people who loved their methodology but couldn’t flex with modern, collaborative ways of working. Some wouldn’t move forward without every document perfectly approved. Others resisted iterative planning altogether. Sound familiar? Experience is valuable, but mindset wins every time.  What You'll Learn:  ✅ Why the “more experience, better hire” belief breaks down ✅ The real pros and cons of hiring experienced PMs ✅ The strengths and gaps of junior and mid-level PMs ✅ The traits to hire for, including the IMPACT Driver mindset and outcome focus ✅ Interview questions that reveal adaptability, judgment, and value-driven thinking  👉 Press play to learn how to hire for the future, not the past.  P.S. Ready to lead where strategy happens? The IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind gives you the coaching, tools, and community you need to stop operating like a support function and start driving the business outcomes your executives are counting on. Click here to learn more! 🚀 Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Business AcumenTime. Scope. Budget. They're the scoreboard most teams are told to play by.  But what if meeting those marks isn’t what earns you a win—at least not in the eyes of your stakeholders?  In this episode, I’m joined by Dave Garrett, Senior Advisor to the CEO at PMI (Project Management Institute) and the architect behind PMI’s largest-ever global research study on Maximizing Project Success. Together, we discuss how the definition of project success is changing and what it means for project and PMO leaders who want to stay relevant.  Dave and I address why success is no longer about project management metrics. It's about value. Specifically, value that was worth the effort and expense in the eyes of the customer.  You’ll also hear how this shift is sparking a new era of leadership thinking, capability building, and organizational alignment. There’s so much more to project success than the triple constraint.  What You'll Learn:  Why project success and project management success are not the same The real definition of success, based on global research How customer perception is now the most powerful success metric The role of the MORE mindset and how to lead beyond project close How to build trust, measure value, and drive outcomes that matter Get clear on what success really means and what it takes to deliver it. 👉 Press play to learn how the future of project success belongs to those who lead with value, not just metrics.  Connect with Dave: Follow him on LinkedIn Read PMI’s Maximizing Project Success report P.S. The IMPACT Driver Intensive helps leadership teams shift from reactive oversight to outcome ownership—with the strategy alignment, clarity, and business value focus they need to deliver what actually matters. Click here to learn how you can lead strategy execution with confidence and clarity. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Ways of WorkingGrowth in a PMO career often gets measured by titles or the size of the portfolio you manage. But in reality, leadership growth is about making the right shifts at the right time. If you’ve been delivering results but still feel stuck, it’s not because you lack talent. It’s because every stage of your career calls for a different focus. Without making those shifts, you can stall out before you reach your full potential. The constant activity, the heavy processes, the endless reporting—that’s the friction. And friction keeps you from leading at the level you’re capable of. In this episode, I’ll walk you through the three stages of PMO leadership growth, what to focus on in each one, and how to make each transition without burning out. You’ll see where you are now, what to stop doing, and what to lean into so you can lead with clarity and create lasting IMPACT.   You'll Learn:  The three key stages most PMO leaders move through. How to shift from order taker to IMPACT Driver. Why centering your PMO on business value changes your visibility. The leadership moves that turn ownership into true influence. How to focus on what matters most right now so you can transition smoothly. 👉 Press play to find out where you are in your leadership journey and what to focus on next to move from projects to power.  P.S. Ready to make your value visible? Inside the IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind, you'll learn how to lead with strategy, earn executive trust, and position your team as essential to business success. Get the coaching, tools, and support to drive real outcomes. Click here to learn more. 🚀 P.P.S. ⌛ Time is almost up! We're in the final days of celebrating The IMPACT Engine book one-year anniversary. Visit The IMPACT Engine book anniversary page to check out the book specials, freebies, enter the grand prize giveaway, and see what makes the IMPACT Engine System unlike anything else. Whether you’ve been with us from the very beginning or are just discovering the movement, today’s the perfect time to celebrate with us. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Business AcumenLuxury isn’t about cost. It’s about how people feel when they interact with you.  This is what it means to adopt a luxury mindset. Leaders who stop acting like task-driven order takers and start thinking like concierges create experiences that build trust, influence, and lasting IMPACT.  So if stakeholders are craving more connection and executives are looking for advocates they can count on, how do you rise to that level?  In this week’s episode of the PMO Strategies Podcast, I’m joined by Neen James, a luxury experience expert and leadership strategist who helps C-suite leaders create exceptional experiences that drive results and deepen relationships. With clients including Four Seasons, Comcast, and the FBI, and recognition as a Top 30 Leadership Speaker by Global Gurus, Neen brings sharp insights on how leaders can use thoughtful touches to build trust and influence at the highest levels. Together, we talk about how the five “luxury levers” help you elevate stakeholder engagement, shift from transactional to transformational, systemize thoughtfulness, and design champagne moments that make people feel valued.  What You'll Learn:  Why luxury is about connection, not cost How to think like a concierge instead of a bellhop The five “luxury levers” that elevate every interaction How systemized thoughtfulness builds authentic loyalty What champagne moments look like inside projects and transformations How personalization, customization, and anticipation win executive buy-in 👉 Press play to learn how to build experiences that turn executives into champions, strengthen stakeholder trust, and drive lasting IMPACT. Connect with Neen: Follow her on LinkedIn Visit her website “Exceptional Experiences” Check out her Youtube channel Watch her “Exceptional Experiences" book trailer  SPONSOR LINK:  P.S. Ready to make your value visible? Inside the IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind, you'll learn how to lead with strategy, earn executive trust, and position your team as essential to business success. Get the coaching, tools, and support to drive real outcomes. Click here to learn more. 🚀 P.P.S. There's Still Time to Celebrate The IMPACT Engine Book One-Year Anniversary! Visit The IMPACT Engine book anniversary page to check out the book specials, freebies, enter the giveaway, and see what makes the IMPACT Engine System unlike anything else. Whether you’ve been with us from the very beginning or are just discovering the movement, today’s the perfect time to celebrate with us. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsStrategy is just planning for IMPACT. This is what PMO leaders do night in and night out: plan, prioritize, and align across the portfolio. That alone is influencing strategy.   So if PMO leaders are experts in strategy, why are they still left out of strategic conversations?  In this week’s episode of the PMO Strategies Podcast, I break down why the word “strategy” feels intimidating, why that belief holds teams back, and how to translate your daily work into the language executives expect.  This episode is a practical guide for PMO and strategy leaders who want to lead the conversation with clarity and make the plan deliver real business value.  What You'll Learn:  Why “strategy” always comes back to a plan, and how to say that in plain language How to explain strategy as planning for IMPACT in terms your executives respect The role strategy plays in cutting projects, surfacing bottlenecks, and aligning capacity How to walk in prepared with two questions that change the room What to change in planning sessions so you shift from status to choices The simple language to claim your seat at the table and drive the conversation 👉 Press play to learn how to recognize your planning as strategy, claim your seat at the table, and lead decisions that drive IMPACT.  P.S. Ready to make your value visible? Inside the IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind, you'll learn how to lead with strategy, earn executive trust, and position your team as essential to business success. Get the coaching, tools, and support to drive real outcomes. Click here to learn more. 🚀 P.P.S. There's Still Time to Celebrate The IMPACT Engine Book One-Year Anniversary! Visit The IMPACT Engine book anniversary page to check out the book specials, freebies, enter the giveaway, and see what makes the IMPACT Engine System unlike anything else. Whether you’ve been with us from the very beginning or are just discovering the movement, today’s the perfect time to celebrate with us. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsPublic sector projects rarely fail because of bad process. They fail because of behaviors no one is willing to confront.  In this episode, I’m joined by Matthew Oleniuk, senior public sector delivery advisor, oversight leader, and founder of TheRiskInsider.com. With 15+ years managing politically sensitive, billion-dollar projects, Matthew brings a refreshingly blunt perspective on what it really takes to lead under pressure.  We break down how project failure in the public sector often has nothing to do with method and everything to do with misaligned culture, disengaged leadership, and risks buried under “green” dashboards.  This episode is a candid roadmap for project professionals working in highly structured, politically charged environments who are tired of pretending the system is enough and ready to start delivering anyway.  What You'll Learn:  Why green dashboards can hide red-flag behaviors that derail delivery. How to stop mistaking oversight for progress. Why real risks don’t show up on a register and how to name them anyway. How courageous delivery leaders create “mini-cultures” of performance. What to do when the culture rewards compliance over outcomes. The one question every PMO should ask before creating a new tool or report. Press play to learn how real delivery happens when you confront what the process alone can’t fix. Connect with Matthew: Follow him on LinkedIn Visit his website Get early access on his course Download the Public Sector Project Health Check P.S. If your PMO is still chasing tasks instead of driving strategy, it’s time for a reset. Join me October 15–16 for the IMPACT Engine Practitioner Course—a live, virtual two-day certification program designed to help you deliver real business value, not just reports. Seats are limited, so reserve yours now. Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsMany leaders think their job when stepping into an existing PMO is to keep things running smoothly. But most of the time? That’s exactly how you miss the chance to make it matter. In this episode, I walk you through how to take charge of a PMO you’ve inherited, using the IMPACT Engine framework to understand why it exists, reset its purpose, and realign it with today’s business needs so it delivers real IMPACT in its first 90 to 180 days. I'll share why momentum without direction is just motion and the exact steps to diagnose how your PMO is seen, reset its purpose, and make early changes that earn trust without resistance. This episode will give you a clear plan to reset alignment, build credibility, and create the PMO that’s needed now, not just the one you were handed.  What You'll Learn:  The first shift you must make in week one (hint: it’s not templates). How to assess reality fast without a months-long audit. Which 2–3 high-IMPACT services to (re)launch first. Building a 90–180 day plan that earns buy-in and trust. How to prove the model with early wins leaders can feel. The rhythm to keep relevance as strategy changes. 👉 Press play to learn how to step into an existing PMO, earn trust fast, and set the stage for real IMPACT.  P.S. The IMPACT Insiders Book Club is so much more than reading a book — it's a movement. Join us for live calls, deep conversations, and a behind-the-scenes look at how to create real change with The IMPACT Engine. It’s completely free — grab your seat now and don’t miss what’s next. P.P.S. On September 10, we’re celebrating the one-year anniversary of The IMPACT Engine! Whether you already own the book or have been waiting to grab a copy, now’s your chance. Not on the newsletter yet? Join today so you don’t miss the exclusive September 9 sneak peek at special offers and giveaways—my way of saying thanks for an incredibly IMPACTful year! Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

Welcome to the PMO Strategies Podcast + Blog, where PMO leaders become IMPACT Drivers!PMI Talent Triangle: Power SkillsEveryone thinks strategy fails because of poor execution.  But most of the time? It’s poor communication.  In this episode, I’m joined by Dori Gilbert—an executive coach, transformation strategist, and certified PMO leader who’s helped delivery teams and executives close the gap between strategy and execution by developing what she calls “communication agility.” It’s a framework built on three essential traits: courage, context, and conflict fluency.  We get into why executives hesitate to delegate, why middle managers struggle to advocate, and why project leaders often avoid the very conversations that could change everything. This episode gives you practical tools to build trust, shift perception, and communicate with strategic presence—even when the stakes are high.  This episode will give you a clear path to elevating your visibility, earning stakeholder buy-in, and leading through change with confidence and clarity.  What You'll Learn:  Why leaders don’t trust handoffs (and how to fix it) The 3Cs of Communication Agility How to develop strategic presence (without faking confidence) What “empathetic action” looks like in real conversations How to lead up, out, and across with clarity and influence 👉 Press play to learn how to build real traction with your words, not just your workload.  Connect with Dori: Follow her on LinkedIn Check out her website Visit KiteAgility.com Download Your Internal Conflict Messaging System Guide P.S. If you’re ready to lead with clarity instead of noise, The IMPACT Accelerator Mastermind gives you the tools, coaching, and support to communicate with confidence and influence at the highest level. Click here to learn more 🚀 P.P.S. On September 10, we’re celebrating the one-year anniversary of The IMPACT Engine! Whether you already own the book or have been waiting to grab a copy, now’s your chance. Not on the newsletter yet? Join today so you don’t miss the exclusive September 9 sneak peek at special offers and giveaways—my way of saying thanks for an incredibly IMPACTful year! Thanks for taking the time to check out the podcast!I welcome your feedback and insights! I’d love to know what you think and if you love it, please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast player. Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts. See you online!Warmly,Laura BarnardGET NOTIFIED ABOUT NEW EPISODES | TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN | PDU REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS